Salthouse's
concern for safety is equally impressive. On the port side of the cockpit,
you'll find a standard fire monitor/suction hose connected to a
110-volt pump. In each forward corner four steps lead to foot-wide side
decks protected by a one--inch toerail and 2'7"-high bowrail.
There are handholds and nonskid everywhere going forward.

Unlike
the current fashion stateside, engine access is not from the cockpit,
but the saloon, a disadvantage if your mechanic isn't particularly
fastidious. Lift the steps from the saloon to the lower accommodations,
and you reveal a small--and I do mean small--vestibule containing
the standard washer and dryer. Mattingly says future models will have
more room here. Proceeding aft through a watertight door brings you to
the engine room, more expansive than those on some 80-footers. With four-foot
headroom it offers true walkaround space--five feet from engine to
forward bulkhead and two feet on each outboard side. Twelve batteries
are in port and starboard compartments with dedicated ventilation. There's
a sump (and pump) just for the A/C condensate, and the acoustic insulation
is 11⁄4-inch-thick Acustop waffle--megayacht stuff. The molded
deck liner has a sump for the bilge pump (there are six in all) and rubber
nonskid, and Racor filters and coolant reservoirs are easily viewable
on lovely polished stainless steel rails. No wiring is visible because
it's inside boxes that run along the stringers.

But
don't think this boat is all business and no pleasure. The joinery
is superb, and while the layout is straightforward, it's chockful
of fresh ideas. The U-shape galley is aft and to port, allowing a pass-through
to the cockpit. Cooking is via a propane Miele cooktop or oven or a Panasonic
microwave that runs off the standard inverter. Much of the beautiful cabinetry
is purpose-made. A tall, narrow drawer holds pans and cutting boards plus
knife and spice racks. Outboard of the Trezinni counter is one deep cabinet,
perfect for holding rolls of paper towels on end. There are dish holders
and a pot drawer with retainers. To starboard, forward of the double-door
refrigerator-freezer, the bar has an icemaker and drawers for tumblers
and wine glasses, both with cutouts. The bottom drawer is for liquor bottles,
also with cutouts. Pots, pans, crockery, glassware, and silverware are
all standard.

The
saloon is roomy--almost too roomy. The U-shape rolled-leather settee
could hold at least 12, and another eight could sit at the starboard settee.
If this strikes you as overkill, Salthouse will replace part of the port-side
seat with an office/work station. Entertainment paraphernalia is modest
by U.S. standards: a 25-inch TV over the bar and Clarion automotive-style
AM/FM stereo/CD player with four speakers. (There's another on the
bridge.) The space is unusually bright because the forward house is all
tinted and tempered 6mm glass, which Salthouse can replace with solid
fiberglass.

Two
accommodations plans are available, both with a master V-berth. Plan A
has a single port-side head and two twin-bed staterooms; Plan B has two
heads, a second port-side queen-size berth, and twin beds to starboard.

Like
the saloon, the flying bridge was designed for those with a lot of friends.
The forward half is a circular seat that can hold a dozen adults, while
the helm has but one seat. From it I had good views fore and aft and easy
access to electronics and controls. The bridge is, of course, air conditioned,
but fresh air is just steps aft, on the observation platform, which has
a full-width seat.

Lacking
challenging seas, I concentrated on evaluating the 60's handling.
I was surprised at how well she accelerates with 660-hp Caterpillars,
although Mattingly says even 420-hp Yanmars work fine. Credit that to
a modest displacement courtesy of all-balsa-core construction and resin
infusion, a process certified to Lloyd's standards by an independent
surveyor as each component is laminated.

The
60 is nothing if not nimble. Her steering is light on the centerline but
gets pretty stiff as you put the helm over. Turning radius seemed a bit
wide--I'd guess around 75 feet--but the boat tracks like
she's on rails, thanks to a small keel. Sound levels are moderate.

The
Salthouse is one of those boats that gets better the deeper you look.
As Mattingly told me: It's the things you don't see until
you start lifting hatches and reading spec lists that impress you. He's
right, but on this boat, the things you do see are pretty impressive,
too.